When the clock chimes five, we all wait outside, and follow after Pineherth, who leads us through the first stages of the morning. After breakfast, instead of returning to Moonridge, she leads us up a long, open corridor, decorated with hundreds of paintings. Most of our group seems to know where we’re going, and I realize this must be the main entrance.

  It’s obvious that this is where we were supposed to come through, and I’m almost disappointed we didn’t. The entrance is grander than I ever could have imagined, and for the first time, I truly understand why Etari is called a castle.

  It’s beautiful and tall, with gargoyles perched on lethal spikes of black earth, the stone so old it almost has a mind of its own. There’s a fantastic arch, taller than even the muck hall, with words in the ancient tongue carved thick and deep, etched clear through to the other side, where firelight makes the words shine a brilliant red. Even the floor is rolled with black rugs that curve around a gurgling fountain, the statues inside a depiction of each class.

  The centermost figure is the Mage, both of her bangled hands held to the air, her veiled head tipped up. The Shield stands to her left, holding his sword with both hands as it digs into the ground. The White stands to her right, his hand on a sword hanging from his side.

  On the backside, the Lynx is hooded, with a plethora of weapons hugging his torso, and the Lock is almost indistinguishable, hiding behind the other Merikna. The Crawler stands at the center, unifying the House, his face hardened as much as the stone.

  Crawlers are the last class in Merikna, home to the most specialized forces. They work in small groups, typically four to six, and take on missions that White’s could not accomplish. They are cunning and quick, and work effortlessly as a team. Most who enter Merikna will become a Crawler, though still, there will not be many.

  I look at Ryker, who stares at the ceiling, which is covered in luminescent stones. They look so much like the stars, and I lose my breath, not having realized how desperately I missed the night sky.

  The walls surrounding the castle soon squeeze into a cave opening, just big enough for our group to move through, but still shielding the full sight from the outside eye. When we emerge from the ground, the sun scalds my eyes, but the fresh light is welcomed with eager longing. It hasn’t been very long, but already I miss the way the sun feels, how it soaks through my clothing, and makes my skin flush and warm.

  But the joy of the moment does not last long, for soon another group breaks free from the mountain. To be joined with fresh souls would not be terrible, if it weren’t for the ravenous pack.

  Of course it is Suncrest who meshes into our own. I wince at the sight of Alec and his cronies, shifting to hug the outer layer of Moonridge, desperate to separate myself from the pack, who have become freshly renowned for “accidentally” killing one of their own during yesterday's training. It is said to be Alec, who laid the deadly strike, claiming that the blade slipped from his grasp. The rest of Suncrest eye the boys wearily, having taken several steps back.

  “Now that you have been here for two weeks, and should well understand our ways,” Pineherth lectures, “We will begin putting you to the test with different terrain. Today, it is your task to complete as much of the Romahide climb as possible.” She points to a tall, flat section of mountain, so steep it appears to just be a wall.

  “Know your limitations,” she continues, her eyes briefly washing over mine, “We will not retrieve you from the top, nor will we do anything to stop you if you fall. Save the whining, you will not get special treatment when you are sent into war.”

  A sting of offence pierces my chest. I know that my skills in the training room are meek at best, but when it comes to climbing, I actually have a chance. Dax is the reason for that. All of our adventures, from trees to the sea, involved the risk of treacherous terrain. Evermeah was not the first mountain I’ve climbed, though it gets points for being one of the toughest. However, I will admit, Romahide is rather daunting, some of the students look downright terrified.

  The two groups hike to the base of the climb, the strain already wearing out my thighs. While the first begin to scale, I stand back to observe, with Ryker and Kieran staring up to the peak. The climb will be difficult, with very few holds, especially near to top, so high above that a sayamine falcon soars gracefully through the patchy, clouded sky.

  Alec and his pack have already started, the most proud and center, leading the groups. We, on the other hand, slip around the side of the climb, disappearing from view. Over here will be much better, as we will be the only three to attempt this face.

  The beginning of the climb is not too bad, my feet sliding easily into the torn divots. It is strenuous work, and requires all of my concentration, but at least that makes it go by smoother. It is quite similar to the final stages of Evermeah’s climb, and I thank the gods for my time with Dax, which allows me to feel some sort of comfort. I can’t say the same for the other students, some who have already fallen flat on their backs, sprawled on the ground and gasping for breath.

  Ryker hovers just beneath me, and Kieran a step above. For the first time, Ryker appears to be struggling, his weight holding him back by the sheer force of gravity, which seems to beg for his swift return to the earth.

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  “Hey, Ryker,” I call over my shoulder, continuing when he responds with a grunt, “You going to let Nightawk floor you, or what?”

  Ryker laughs, and grabs the next hold, moving with more confidence than before.

  “I’m sure he’s just enjoying the view,” Kieran looks over his shoulder, raising a black, slitted eyebrow.

  It takes me a second, but then I gasp, “Prick!”

  Kieran chuckles and turns back around, encouraged by Ryker, who has just met my side, smiling maniacally,

  “He’s not wrong,” Ryker winks, and I nearly sway off the mountain as I attempt to cock my curled fist, “But neither are you. Nightawk’s not going to win that easy.”

  Ryker reaches up, hoisting himself up with new speed. Smiling with wild energy, I take off after the boys, keeping pace with Ryker while both of us try our best to pass Kieran. We make good progress, and I find myself enjoying, for the first time in my life, the risk of such a crazy task. At least, until a petrified scream rings across the carved mountains.

  We all stop, looking to the ground, flinching as the screaming comes to an abrupt stop, joined with a loud thunk as a body slams lifelessly into the earth. Terrible laughter follows the eerie silence, making my mouth run dry.

  “Hey, Mae,” Ryker resumes the climb, which Kieran has come close to completing, “How much money that Ambaby spends his nights wishing you were in his bed.”

  “What?!” I yelp, my hold slipping as I look at Ryker in disbelief.

  Waggling his eyebrows, he laughs, “Oh come on, only desire causes that much hatred.”

  I can’t help but gawk, “Have you lost your mind?!”

  “Or,” Ryker taunts, ignoring me entirley, “is it Panthera that dreams of your touch?”

  “Oh, you swine!” I hiss, climbing with a new drive.

  Ryker’s laugh echoes, and he rushes to meet me once more. But despite the roll of my eyes, I’m unable to withhold a smile. But that stops when I look up, finding Kieran standing victoriously on the cliffs peak, eyeing us with well earned triumph.

  Ryker groans theatrically and calls, “Not very kind, leaving your team behind.”

  Kieran shrugs, turning to the sky, where the sayamine falcon soars with noble grace. Ryker and I soon find the lip of the cliff, and I reach up to grab my final hold. But the divot is weak, and the rock starts to crumble, and my hand slips from the stone.

  I start to tip back, and everything slows, the fall, Ryker’s panicked yell, even the flare of the sayamine’s wings, calling loud enough for all of Everneza to hear. My own scream gets lost in my throat, and my feet fall out from their narrow holds.

  And then Kieran slams onto the ground, thrusting his hand out and grasping mine tightly, coming close to falling off the ledge, himself. Ryker scrambles to the peak, his face strained but unwavering as he snatches my shirt, pulling me onto the platform with so much force I feel as if I’m flying.

  Kieran pushes back up, wide eyes and terrified, the intensity mimicked by the falcon, who has stayed close by, circling our heads like a vulture, wondering if it will have a body to pick the skin off of its bones.

  Ryker helps me to my feet, both of us panting, his head shaking in disbelief, “Had to leave it till’ the end, didn’t you, Fangera.” He blows out an exhausted breath, strands of sweat soaked hair unflinching from his forehead.

  The falcon swoops closer to our heads, almost brushing our hair with his shining wings. All of us turn to him, watching the beauty of the creature, who has taken a liking to one in particular, keeping his curious eyes planted on Kieran, who gazes at the bird with equal fascination.

  Screeching a beautiful call, the falcon flares his wings wide, clipping Kieran’s wind blown hair, and taking one final dive. He soars with the speed of the winds, gracefully landing onto Kieran’s shoulder, digging talons into brown skin. Kieran wavers as he lands, but is too enthralled to notice the slow leak of blood, dripping down to his toes. The sayamine perches easily, looking so naturally placed, and watches his new friend with a special look, assessing Kieran, who can only gape.

  It is so strange, seeing the click. I’ve read about it, but never thought I would experience it. It’s like two halves of souls just snapped into place.

  “Kieran,” I whisper, afraid to scare off the sacred bird, “Did he just-”

  Kieran nods, keeping his attention on the falcon, and slowly reaches up to soothe the feathers on its head. The sayamine responds with delight, nuzzling into his hand.

  “That’ll get the ladies going,” Ryker smiles smugly.

  Kieran flushes deeply and turns back, observing the gorgeous bird. He really is handsome, his feathers regal and distinguished. His talons are as black as his wings, the sheen of blue so much like the deep sea. He’s not too large, able to be held in a single hand, but he would make a good partner, for any sort of man.

  Sayamine falcons are the most coveted species of birds in all of Everneza. They’re known for their ability to track anyone across the world, even if they’ve never met them before. Their bloodline is ancient, and runs back to Savinel Erom, where the only remaining flock is said to take refuge. I’ve never seen one before, he is likely the only one on the Isle.

  Kieran reaches over, shifting the falcon onto his hand. The bird does not waver as he does so, seeming fully at ease, the comfortability coming naturally. Kieran lifts his arm and the falcon takes off, screeching as he soars above our heads.

  Ryker looks over the side of the cliff, and his face pulls into a grimace.

  “Ambaby’s almost here,” he grunts, pulling back from the climb, “We should leave.”

  Not needing another moment on the tall, tottering tower, we slowly make our way back down from the peak, taking special care to descend carefully. Kieran moves slower than either of us, for most of the time he observes the fine bird, who soars in slow, watchful loops.

  By the time we reach the ground, we are some of the only students who remain. Most have been sent off to dinner, where they will nurse their injuries and egos. Four will never return, their bodies piled in a thick lump, which the Sergeant of Suncrest covers with a sheet. And only a handful continue to descend the mountain, where their disbelieving sneers can be seen even as we sink back into the earth, the new addition to our group secured to Kieran with his claws.